BETHEL -- When their successful application to open a medical marijuana dispensary sparked opposition from some surprised town residents, owners of the future facility decided they needed to do a little public relations work.

D'Amico said the goal of the sessions -- the first beginning at 4:30 and the second at 6 p.m. -- is to better inform residents about how they will operate their business, in an unoccupied building at 4 Garella Road.

The late victory for D&B came after three other municipalities turned them away for varying reasons, including Stratford, Bridgeport and Redding.

Palmer approved the latest application after about a week of administrative review, ruling it a retail establishment permitted in the Route 6 business zone.

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said the approval was appropriate.

"We're not afraid of it," Knickerbocker said. "We look at this as being something that is going to provide a needed benefit to people who are very ill."

But on Thursday, two residents filed documents with the town Zoning Board of Appeals seeking to overturn Palmer's decision.

Michael J. Moore and Philip M. Lombino said that since a dispensary must follow highly specific state regulations and is not open to the general public, it is not a true retail use.

Medical marijuana can be sold only to patients certified by the state as suffering from one of 11 approved illnesses.

Knickerbocker acknowledged that others in the community are concerned, as well.

"This is really just a matter of communicating with the public and letting them know there's really nothing for them to fear with this," Knickerbocker said. "Some people are just flat-out not going to believe that. I think there's too much misinformation at this moment."

Knickerbocker noted that many of those who have called him opposing D&B's plans have said they want medical marijuana to be available -- just somewhere else.

"They know that this is going to be a benefit to people who are suffering from terminal illness, but in the next breath they'll say `I'm afraid of the stigma,' " he said.